Youth sports coach charged in sexual assault on girl, 14

JENNA-LEY HARRISON
Staff Writer

A 34-year-old southwestern Lincoln County man and former Optimist Club sports coach is accused of raping a 14-year-old girl in January, the Sheriff’s Office said.
Eddy Shane Heavner, 34, of 3944 Gaston Webbs Chapel Road, knew the victim and sexually assaulted her Jan. 8 at the home of one of her relatives, according to an agency press release.
Deputies charged Heavner Friday with one felony count each taking indecent liberties with a child and statutory rape/sexual offense of a 13-, 14- or 15-year-old by a defendant who is six years older, the release said.
While Heavner served as a coach with West Lincoln Optimist and assistant coach with Cherryville Optimist, the victim was not a member of either sports teams, deputies said.
Heavner has since posted a $20,000 secured bond. He is set to make his first court appearance on the charges today.
Sheriff’s Det. Dan Renn is credited with the arrest.